Padel is having a moment in Arizona, and this summer, players will get a taste of how the game is taught at one of the most recognized names in racquet sports. Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Camp USA is coming to Padel Pals July 6-10, bringing five days of focused adult training to the Valley’s first fully indoor padel club.
Hosted locally at Padel Pals (4945 S. 71st Street in Mesa), the camp is designed for adults 18 and older and open to all levels, from beginners learning court positioning for the first time to experienced tennis and padel players looking to sharpen their tactical game. Over the course of the week, participants will train through a structured program focused on technique, tactics, drills, live-ball play, and match situations, with each session limited to 12 players.
The Phoenix area stop is part of Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Camp USA’s broader national series, bringing a structured pathway to stronger performance to players across the country. Coaches from the Rafa Nadal Academy will travel from Mallorca, Spain, to lead the Arizona camp, adding an international layer of expertise to the experience. For Padel Pals, the partnership marks another step in its mission to make padel more accessible, competitive, and connected in one of the country’s fastest-growing markets for the sport.
“Our role is to bring the best in the world into the community,” says Carlos Pereyra, co-founder of Padel Pals. “We want to be great ambassadors for the growth and development of padel. Partnering with Rafa Nadal Academy is our way to expose and welcome more people from the tennis world in Phoenix to come and play padel.”
The camp’s methodology is rooted in the training approach of Rodrigo Ovide, the lead padel coach for Rafa Nadal Academy. Ovide is widely recognized in the professional padel world as both a player and coach, with experience working with men’s and women’s players who have reached No. 1 in the world.
At Padel Pals, that methodology will be brought to life through high-intensity, small-group sessions led by experienced coaches from Spain who have spent years around the sport. Players can expect a technical and tactical approach that helps them understand not just how to hit the ball, but how to move, decide, defend, attack, and compete with more purpose.
What to expect at Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Camp USA at Padel Pals:
- World-Class Methodology: Training inspired by Rodrigo Ovide’s padel methodology, bringing professional-level concepts to adult players in a practical, approachable format.
- Small-Group Coaching: Each session is limited to 12 players, allowing coaches to separate participants by level and provide focused attention throughout the week.
- All-Level Access: Open to beginners, intermediate players, and advanced competitors, with no prior padel experience required. Players with tennis or padel backgrounds may be able to progress even faster.
- Technical Development: Drills focused on court positioning, consistency, control, defensive fundamentals, offensive play, volleys, bandejas, and transition work.
- Tactical Growth: Instruction designed to help players make better decisions under pressure, understand when to defend or attack, and apply strategy in real match situations.
- Match Play: Live-ball and match-based work throughout the program, with the week building toward competitive play that allows participants to put new skills into action.
- Indoor Comfort: Training takes place inside Padel Pals’ fully indoor, climate-controlled facility, giving players a reliable summer training environment away from July’s heat.
“The biggest value is giving local players access to coaches and a methodology that comes from a deeper padel culture,” Pereyra says. “Spain has been around this sport much longer, and that experience matters. Players will get drills, technique, tactics, and match play throughout the week, all in an environment built to help them improve and enjoy the game.”
Three adult sessions will be offered daily from July 6–10. Session I runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Session II runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and Session III runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Each session follows the same camp structure, with participants separated by level within the time slot they select.
The camp is open to men and women ages 18 and older. Pricing is currently listed at $525 per player. With only 36 total spots available, the camp is expected to fill quickly.
Padel Pals is located at 4945 S. 71st Street in Mesa. For more information or to register, visit rafanadalacademycampusa.com/padel. To learn more about Padel Pals, visit padel-pals.com.
